Remember Who We Are

Posted by on August 6, 2000 under Sermons

What do you think is the most important thing that could happen in the West-Ark congregation? In your mind, in the privacy of your thoughts, in your hearts of hearts, if one thing could happen that would make the greatest single difference in this congregation, what would it be? Do you have that “big thing” in your mind? Keep it in your mind, and read with me from Philippians 2:2:1-11.

Philippians 2:1-11 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  1. If God chose one thing that could happen in the West-Ark congregation, that would make the greatest difference to His purposes in us, this would be His choice.
    1. He would choose for this congregation to be filled with teens, with young men and women, with middle aged men and women, with mature men and women who had the attitude and the mind of Jesus Christ.
      1. These would be people who emptied themselves before God.
      2. These would be people who sacrificed for God’s purposes.
      3. These would be people who humbly served God in any way God led them.

    2. Why would God choose that?
      1. Because they would be people who shared one mind, the mind of Jesus.
      2. Because they would be a people who took care of their love.
      3. Because they would be a people who based their unity on a single purpose for existing–God’s purpose in Jesus.
      4. Because they would be people who refused to be selfish or conceited.
      5. Because they would be people who valued other people with genuine interest in those people.
      6. In short, because they would be people who humbled surrendered life to God just as Jesus did, with the same heart and mind Jesus had.

Everything God wants to happen in Fort Smith could happen if God had a congregation of people who thought from Jesus’ perspectives and based their actions on Jesus’ motives.

Is that the way you think? Are those the motives for your actions?